Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-07-21
THE PURITY OF THE BALLOT.

THE PURITY OF THE BALLOT.
For more than decade the Second ward
polling place of this city has been the sub
ject of more or less protest informally on
the part of people who were aware of
the rascaiity and the debauchery of the
ballot that have been practiced there ut cleo
ton times. II is a strong Republican
precinct; many colOred voters cast their
ballots there. And it is alleged that many
Others who are not voters at that poll have
also deposited ballots there with regularity,
often coming from Bridgeport and from
other sections of the city for the purpose.
This delightful Republican jubilee has
been celebrated without interruption till
the last State election. The Grst eonvic-
tions for years for illegal voting were those
of two colOrei men named ALEXANDER
GARDINER and GEORGE PRICE, both citi-
zsns of whom Wheeling is not proud.
They were convicted in the United States
Court sitting at ParkerSburg, the other
day, GARDINER for attempting to induce
another TO vote Illegally and PRICE for per
jury in addition To the above OffenSe.
GARDINER was sentenced to pay a fine OF
$75 and placed under $500 bond for surety,
PRICE TO ten months imprisonment in the
Penitentiary.
The COurt Is Ia h. commended for fixing
the sentences at almost the maximum pre-
scrihsd by hw. As it is, however, they
are light punishments for such crimes
The law on the subject of ofIenses against
the ballot is broad, although of course no
law tan be made that will prevent illegal
voting any more than statutory enactments
will prevent perjury. A very heavy pen
atty attached to the OGense would have the
effect of making the crime less frequent,
perhaps, hut it cannot be prevented in any
practicable way in city where change of
residence is always more or less frequent
The Legislature at it it's last session added
to the law these sections whose meaning is
unmistakable.
Is. No person shall on the day of
election within sixty feet Of the voting
place, request another person to exhibit
or disclose the contents Of any ticket OF
ballot which such other person intends TO
use in voting
IA. Any person who on the day of
election having inspected the ballot Of
voter, OF having furnished voter with
ballot, accompanies such voter within
sixty feet of the voting place whilst such
voter is on his way to the polls for the
purpose of voting, shall be guilty of mis-
demeanOr; or any person acting in con-
junction with another who has, on the
day of election, inspected the ballot of a
voter or furnished q voter with ballot,
whOaeeOmpanies such voter within sixty
feet Of the voting place whilst such voter
is on his way to the polls for the purpose
Of voting, or any person who shall call a
voter back after such voter has approached
within sixty feet Of any voting place for
the purpose Of casting q vote, and shall
inspect or change the ballot of such voter
or shall give or offer to give such voter
another or different ballot, shall be guilty
of misdemeanor.
10. No ticket or ballot shall, on the day
of election, be given or delivered to or re-
ceived by any person within sixty feet of
the voting place, except he be one of the
Commissioners Of election, who shall re-